The Great Georgia Pollinator Census is a project that anyone can be a Citizen Scientist! On August 20th and 21st, 2021, we all can help the University of Georgia Extension protect Georgia's pollinators, one count at a time! A citizen science project is where Georgians count insects that land on a favorite pollinator plant for 15 minutes, putting these insects into categories:
Carpenter bees
Bumblebees
Honeybees
Small bees
Wasps
Flies
Butterflies/moths
Other insects
The project goals are to create or add to sustainable pollinator habitats across Georgia, increase the entomological literacy of our citizens, and generate valuable data about our pollinator populations. You can go to https://ggapc.org/ to find out more about pollinators and where to report your count. You can also come to Keep Liberty Beautiful on August 21, 2021, to conduct the Great Georgia Pollinator Census from 10:00am to 12:00pm. Please RSVP at https://bit.ly/pollencensus to ensure we have enough supplies and food.
So, you may ask yourself why we are doing the census to count pollinators. Well, pollinators really need our help. They are losing habitat worldwide due to many farming practices detrimental to pollinators life and the vast destruction of native landscapes. We are losing more pollinators every year. This isn't just a severe problem for homeless pollinators. It is a human problem, too. If we do not find ways to provide life for pollinators like butterflies, moths, bees, and beetles, which are a significant part of our ecosystem. We lose flowers, other plants, and foods that depend on pollination by these busy little creatures. The substantial decline in these pollinators will affect all of us. Here are some ways that you can help save our pollinators:
Just planting flowers and more native plants in your garden, your yard, or even in planters will help provide pollinators forage.
As you plan your gardens during the year, consider adding pollinator-friendly trees and plants to provide food and habitat for them like milkweed, goldenrod, lilacs, lavender, sage, verbena, wisteria, mint, cosmos, squash, tomatoes, pumpkins, sunflowers, oregano, rosemary, poppies, black-eyed Susans, passionflower vine, honeysuckle, Fuschia, and bush sunflower. Maple trees are also quite popular with pollinators too. Check out regional opportunities on the web for pollinators and native plants.
Try to have a succession of blooms throughout the spring and fall. The pollinators will love you for it. Also, they love to have a little plate or birdbath with pebbles and water that they can climb on and hang out on.
Also, do not worry about having that perfect, weedless green lawn. Some weeds, like dandelions and clover, are popular with our pollinator friends.
We all can help rebuild pollinators communities with simple changes to our landscapes. Check out our website: www.keeplibertybeautiful.org for more information. Then, contact us at Keep Liberty Beautiful at (912) 880-4888 or klcb@libertycountyga.com to get involved today.
A friendly reminder that our next quarterly Recycle It! Fairs are scheduled for Saturday, September 18, 2021, from 9:00am until 1:00pm at two convenient locations:
Liberty County Community Complex, 9397 East Oglethorpe in Midway
- Walthourville City Hall, 222 Busbee Drive in Walthourville.
We will also host a Shred It! Day as well at the Walthourville City Hall site. You must be in line by 12:45pm. Don't forget to donate your shoes from now until September 18, 2021. We hope you plan to join us this Saturday, August 21, 2021, to conduct the Great Georgia Pollinator Census from 10:00am to 12:00pm at the KLB office. Please RSVP at https://bit.ly/pollencensus
to ensure we have enough supplies and food.